Since so many New Yorkers live in apartment buildings, building workers are relied on to maintain, repair and ensure safety among other duties. The jobs these workers do is imperative and can be dangerous. When there are accidents with injuries, they can face exorbitant medical expenses and lost income. They might not be able to return to the work they did before. In a worst-case scenario, they can lose their lives. Since these workers sometimes need to perform tasks at great heights or put themselves in jeopardy in other ways, it is important to know what to do after injuries or fatal work accidents.
Worker, 64, tries to retrieve cellphone for tenant and dies
People who drop property in treacherous areas of a building will inevitably ask a worker to try and retrieve it. This is common with cellphones. A 64-year-old assistant superintendent was trying to get a tenant’s cellphone back from an elevator shaft when there was an accident. The worker and the tenant went to the elevator room in the building’s basement to try and find the phone. As they searched, the worker was caught as the elevator started moving. He was crushed and died. The tenant tried to help and suffered an arm injury. The man had worked there for almost three decades and was an immigrant from Grenada.
Facing the aftermath of a work fatality
One of the worst calls a person can receive is when they are told a loved one died in a work accident. People who head to their job as they have consistently and without incident are expected to return home unscathed. Unfortunately, accidents can happen and people lose their lives because of it. There are many concerns after a work fatality. Funeral expenses, lost income, lost companionship and the emotional impact are some examples. Being cognizant of the necessary steps to seek compensation is important for those left behind.
Experienced assistance may be key after a work fatality
In this accident, a longtime building worker was trying to help a tenant retrieve a cellphone and died in a subsequent elevator accident. Those who have faced a similar situation should know their rights. Work-related deaths are hard to accept and come to grips with. Insurance companies and employers might try to preclude a potential legal filing by making a settlement offer. This may not be sufficient to cover for all that was lost. Consulting with experienced professionals in wrongful death claims might be helpful to assess the case and decide on the next step.